Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visits Ghana and Tanzania

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited the African countries of Ghana and Tanzania from March 17-21, together with trade minister Ewa Björling. The heir to the throne's visit centered on strengthening Sweden's trade links with these countries. She was in Ghana from March 17-19 and in Tanzania from March 20-21.

Visit here to find out more details and exciting photos of the crown princess' African tour.

The Portuguese State Visit to Sweden

King Carl XVI and the Swedish Royal Family with the President and
First Lady of Portugal. Image: Royalcourt.se

 

Portugal's President Aníbal Cavaco Silva together with his wife embarked on a three-day state visit to Sweden from October 1-3. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel welcomed the presidential couple upon their arrived at the Stockholm Arlanda Airport. In the evening, King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia hosted a state dinner at the Royal Palace in honor of the Portuguese Presidential couple.  In his speech, the King highlighted Sweden and Portugal’s enduring ties that date back from the 17th century. "The links between Sweden and Portugal have united our countries for four centuries. In 1640 — in the middle of the Thirty Years' War — Portugal broke free from the Iberian Union and declared her independence. The very next year, in July 1641, Sweden and Portugal signed a trade and friendship treaty,” the King said.

The Portuguese president and first lady arrive at the airport in Stockholm.
Image: Royalcourt.se
 

King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia host a state banquet in honor of the
President and First Lady of Portugal. Image: Royalcourt.se

Find out the details of the state dinner, including the menus, dinner service, linen and decors at the Royal Family’s website.

Lunch at the City Hall. Image: Royalcourt.se

Ericsson Studio. Image: Royalcourt.se

Day 2 - The Portuguese dignitaries visited the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology, where they watched a demonstration of help in the home for people with disabilities. The King and the President also visited the Näringslivets Hus, where a forum for Portuguese and Swedish participants is being held. The King and Queen and the Presidential couple later dropped by Stockholm City Hall for an exhibition on fashion and design in the Gilded Hall.

For details of the second day of the Portugues state visit, click here.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel with the Portuguese presidential
couple at Malmo Airport as they depart for Portugal. Image: Royalcourt.se 

On the third day of the state visit, a breakfast at the Portuguese Ambassador's official residence was held. The King and Queen then hosted an departure ceremony at the Hall of Mirrors of the Royal Palace. A departure ceremony was also held at the County Governor's official residence in Malmö, where The Crown Princess Couple bid adieu to the Portuguese visitors.
For details of the second day of the Portugues state visit, click here.

Prince Harry in Sydney to review global armada

Prince Harry on board HMAS Leeuwin to review a global armada of
warships. Image: AP

Prince Harry, in full military uniform, went to Sydney to review a global armada of warships in a day of pomp and ceremony witnessed by thousands of people, reports Associated Press. Known as Captain Wales, the prince made his first official visit to Australia representing Queen Elizabeth II to take part in the 2013 International Fleet Review, in celebration of the 100th year of the Royal Australian Navy. The prince was wearing a white tropical dress uniform of the British Army and a blue Army AirCorp beret. He reviewed the fleet together with Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Prime Minister Tony Abbott on board Australian survey ship HMAS Leeuwin.

Prince Harry salutes at Garden Island. Image: AP

Prince Harry joins Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Prime Minister
Tony Abbott. Image: AP
 

Prince Harry with Her Majesty's representative Governor-General
Quentin Bryce. Image: AP

 

Dutch King and Queen visit Oslo

King Harald welcomes the Dutch king and queen.
(Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix)

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima dropped by Oslo Wednesday and were welcomed by King Harald and the Royal Family together with government leaders, including parliament president and the prime minister. The royal couple's visit was part of the series of "introductory" royal tours to neighboring countries since the King's accession last April. The Royal House of Norway's official website provides us the details of the royal visit.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose with the King and
Queen and Crown Prince and Princess of Norway.
(Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix)



King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are cheered by children
from the Dutch school. (Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix)

 

Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Prince Naruhito at the opening ceremony Dual Year of Spain-Japan

June 11 - Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan co-chaired the very first activity of the Spain-Japan Dual Year.

During his speech at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the bilateral meeting for Spanish-Japanese business cooperation, Don Felipe has highlighted the cooperation between Spanish and Japanese economies Don Felipe also stressed that "the presence of Japanese industrial is also important for the pulse of the economy of our country. With more than 3,000 million euros direct investment in Spain, Japan ranks as the 12th biggest foreign investor in our country. Approximately 150 Japanese companies bring nearly 3,000 jobs to our country, thus contributing very relevant to the enhancement of skills and dynamism of our business." He also noted that the momentum of the business cooperation between the two countries will significantly contribute to the increase in economic and trade flows.

Don Felipe also expressed confidence that the Dual Year will help strengthen the relationships of the two countries, which began four centuries ago.

The Chambers of Commerce, in collaboration with the Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) and the Chamber of Commerce in Japan, has organized this meeting, which welcomed the various companies from both countries.

After the inauguration, the sessions continued, which analyzed the economic prospects of both countries, joint business ventured with third-world countries, and the promotion of collaboration between Spanish and Japanese SMEs. 

Monaco’s Prince Albert visits Brazil and

The official website of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco has announced Prince Albert II’s trip to Brazil and Haiti.

Visit to Brazil

The Prince has made his trip to Brazil to visit Casa de Menor Sao Miguel Arcanjo, which looks after street children. He chatted with the organization’s founder, Fr. Renato Chiera, who has already helped alleviate the lives of thousands of children in Brazil.

The Prince also met Sebastiao Salgado, the famed economist and photographer, who has done so much to restore the forests in Minas Geras and Espiritu Santo.

The Haitian Trip

Report from Miami Herald revealed that the Prince’s Haitian trip was pursued to inaugurate the school that has built. It was named in his honor. The prince was received by Haitian President Michel Martelly, with whom he discussed the ways to improve the environment, as well as the prospect of building a center for researchers to study AIDS to be backed by the prince’s foundation.

The prince is slated to meet Dr Jean-William Pape, Director of the GHESKIO Centre, and Dr Alain Mérieux. He will also meet with Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO Special Envoy, and Chantal Moreno, a representative of the International Francophone Organization, before proceeding to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

Sweden’s King and Queen visit Minneapolis

The Swedish King and Queen after they arrived
at the Nelson Cultural Center

Sweden’s King Carl and Queen Sonja embarked on an official visit to Minneapolis from Oct. 4-6. Here’s the itinerary of their trip:



October 4

The King and Queen toured the American Swedish Institute at the Nelson Cultural Center. They were greeted by an entourage led by the institute’s CEO Bruce Karstadt.
In the evening, the Institute held a celebratory dinner for the royal couple.

October 5

The King and Queen of Sweden gets a warm welcome at
the Gustavus Adolphus College

The King and Queen began their day with a visit to the Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, where they joined students and faculty during a college service. he King gave a speech in which he mentioned the strong links between Sweden and the US, and particularly the Swedish communities in Minnesota.

The royal couple then proceeded to the Hillstrom Museum of Arts “where a major exhibition of Swedish art from 1862 onwards includes loans from the Moderna Museet and the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.” They then returned to the Gustavus Adolphus College for lunch. Still in the campus, the King attended a seminar titled "From Global to Local: Teaching and Living Environmental Sustainability," while the Queen lent her presence at another seminar, "Protecting and Supporting the World's Women and Children.”
In the evening, the royal couple attended a dinner held in their honor.

October 6

King Carl delivers his speech at the American Swedish Institute

The King’s last day in Minnesota started with a reception at the official residence of Minnesota's Governor Mark Dayton, where around 150 guests were invited to the reception.

The King and Queen proceeded to the American Swedish Institute for lunch held in their honor. Then, a ceremony was held where the King and Queen unveiled a commemorative plaque.

In the evening, a fundraising dinner was held for the American Swedish Institute.


For the latest news about the Swedish Royal Family, visit their official website.